Selina Textbook Solutions: Disaster Management | Geography Class 8 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Disaster Management 
Exercises 
A. Fill in the blanks 
1. Proper planning can help in limiting and minimizing damages and losses caused 
by natural or man-made disasters. 
2. Floods can be prevented in vulnerable areas by properly maintaining dykes along 
rivers. 
3. Rainwater harvesting goes a long way in replenishing the depleting supply 
of ground water. 
4. We should always turn off the knob of our LPG cylinders when it is not in use. 
5. Every house should have an emergency first-aid kit. 
B. Match the following 
 
 
C. Write true or false 
1. The geographical location and landscape of India exposes it to earthquakes. 
Answer. True. 
2. When a natural disaster occurs in a developing country like India, it is the rich of the 
country that suffer the most. 
Answer.False. 
Page 2


Disaster Management 
Exercises 
A. Fill in the blanks 
1. Proper planning can help in limiting and minimizing damages and losses caused 
by natural or man-made disasters. 
2. Floods can be prevented in vulnerable areas by properly maintaining dykes along 
rivers. 
3. Rainwater harvesting goes a long way in replenishing the depleting supply 
of ground water. 
4. We should always turn off the knob of our LPG cylinders when it is not in use. 
5. Every house should have an emergency first-aid kit. 
B. Match the following 
 
 
C. Write true or false 
1. The geographical location and landscape of India exposes it to earthquakes. 
Answer. True. 
2. When a natural disaster occurs in a developing country like India, it is the rich of the 
country that suffer the most. 
Answer.False. 
When a natural disaster occurs in a developing country like India, it is the poor of the 
country that suffer the most. 
3. If you are outdoors during a tremor, the best strategy is to stand under a tree. 
Answer. False. 
If you are outdoors during a tremor, the best strategy is to stand away from a tree. 
4. It is essential to plan in advance to prevent floods and contain the losses resulting 
from them. 
Answer.True. 
5. It is not possible to prepare in advance to mitigate the impact of a drought. 
Answer. False. 
It is possible to prepare in advance to mitigate the impact of a drought. 
D. Answer the following questions in brief 
Question 1. 
What is disaster management ? 
Answer: 
Disaster management is the overall preparedness to handle the possibility of a disaster 
and efficient management of affected regions as well as people if such an incident were 
to occur. It involves plans and steps taken before, during and after a disaster to reduce 
the extent of suffering and damage. 
Question 2. 
Why is disaster management important ? 
Answer: 
A disaster – (natural or man-made) can strike anytime without warning. The disaster 
management is important because the geographical location and landscape of India 
exposes it to earthquakes and many kinds of weather- related disasters. In a developing 
country like India, usually the poor suffer the most. Therefore, it is extremely important 
for the government, the people and social organizations to be prepared with proper 
plans and arrangements to face any kind of disaster. Proper and prior planning can help 
in limiting and minimizing damages and losses resulting from any disaster – natural or 
man-made. 
Question 3. 
What safety measures can be followed against floods ? 
Answer: 
Floods can be prevented in vulnerable areas by properly maintaining dykes and 
embankments along rivers. The government and relief organisation must also have 
provisions of flood shelters in vulnerable places (along flood prone regions) so that 
people and livestock can be quickly evacuated and provided relief too. The government 
Page 3


Disaster Management 
Exercises 
A. Fill in the blanks 
1. Proper planning can help in limiting and minimizing damages and losses caused 
by natural or man-made disasters. 
2. Floods can be prevented in vulnerable areas by properly maintaining dykes along 
rivers. 
3. Rainwater harvesting goes a long way in replenishing the depleting supply 
of ground water. 
4. We should always turn off the knob of our LPG cylinders when it is not in use. 
5. Every house should have an emergency first-aid kit. 
B. Match the following 
 
 
C. Write true or false 
1. The geographical location and landscape of India exposes it to earthquakes. 
Answer. True. 
2. When a natural disaster occurs in a developing country like India, it is the rich of the 
country that suffer the most. 
Answer.False. 
When a natural disaster occurs in a developing country like India, it is the poor of the 
country that suffer the most. 
3. If you are outdoors during a tremor, the best strategy is to stand under a tree. 
Answer. False. 
If you are outdoors during a tremor, the best strategy is to stand away from a tree. 
4. It is essential to plan in advance to prevent floods and contain the losses resulting 
from them. 
Answer.True. 
5. It is not possible to prepare in advance to mitigate the impact of a drought. 
Answer. False. 
It is possible to prepare in advance to mitigate the impact of a drought. 
D. Answer the following questions in brief 
Question 1. 
What is disaster management ? 
Answer: 
Disaster management is the overall preparedness to handle the possibility of a disaster 
and efficient management of affected regions as well as people if such an incident were 
to occur. It involves plans and steps taken before, during and after a disaster to reduce 
the extent of suffering and damage. 
Question 2. 
Why is disaster management important ? 
Answer: 
A disaster – (natural or man-made) can strike anytime without warning. The disaster 
management is important because the geographical location and landscape of India 
exposes it to earthquakes and many kinds of weather- related disasters. In a developing 
country like India, usually the poor suffer the most. Therefore, it is extremely important 
for the government, the people and social organizations to be prepared with proper 
plans and arrangements to face any kind of disaster. Proper and prior planning can help 
in limiting and minimizing damages and losses resulting from any disaster – natural or 
man-made. 
Question 3. 
What safety measures can be followed against floods ? 
Answer: 
Floods can be prevented in vulnerable areas by properly maintaining dykes and 
embankments along rivers. The government and relief organisation must also have 
provisions of flood shelters in vulnerable places (along flood prone regions) so that 
people and livestock can be quickly evacuated and provided relief too. The government 
must also plan stationing rescue equipment near flood-prone areas. It should be 
possible to immediately deploy rescue boats and have communication lines open and 
functioning in order to rescue people caught functioning in order to rescue people 
caught in rising levels of water. There should be enough dry food, clean water and 
medicines made available to these people, affected by floods, so that spread of 
diseases can be stopped. 
Question 4. 
Mention any three safety measures against a fire. 
Answer: 
Few safety measures against fire are : 
1. Everyone should be acquainted with the common fire safety norms. 
2. We should take some time out to find out about the different 
kinds of fire extinguishers and the correct one to use in case of a fire. Fires are of 
different origins and we should make an effort to know more about this and the 
right extinguisher to use. 
3. While entering a public place such a cinema hall or auditorium, we should make 
note of the fire exits and all other possible exits. 
4. If a fire were to break out, we should avoid using the lift as a means of escape. 
5. We should undergo training in first-aid in case of a fire and ways to put out flames. 
6. If we light a matchstick to light a candle or the stove, we should also make sure 
that the matchstick is properly disposed of. 
7. We should always turn off the knob of our LPG cylinders when it is not in use. We 
should also always keep a kitchen window open so that any inflammable gas can 
dissipate instead of accumulating in the kitchen. 
Question 5. 
Write any two safety measures taken against biological disaster. 
Answer: 
In case of a biological disaster, we can take the following safety measures : 
1. People should inform the police and get away from any suspicious material that 
they see around them. 
2. The government should educate people through the mass media in case of a 
threat of a biological attack. 
3. People should not inhale such organisms and protect themselves by covering their 
faces. 
Question 6. 
What safety measures should be taken in case of a travel- related disaster? 
Answer: 
In case of a travel-related disaster, we can take the following precautions: 
Page 4


Disaster Management 
Exercises 
A. Fill in the blanks 
1. Proper planning can help in limiting and minimizing damages and losses caused 
by natural or man-made disasters. 
2. Floods can be prevented in vulnerable areas by properly maintaining dykes along 
rivers. 
3. Rainwater harvesting goes a long way in replenishing the depleting supply 
of ground water. 
4. We should always turn off the knob of our LPG cylinders when it is not in use. 
5. Every house should have an emergency first-aid kit. 
B. Match the following 
 
 
C. Write true or false 
1. The geographical location and landscape of India exposes it to earthquakes. 
Answer. True. 
2. When a natural disaster occurs in a developing country like India, it is the rich of the 
country that suffer the most. 
Answer.False. 
When a natural disaster occurs in a developing country like India, it is the poor of the 
country that suffer the most. 
3. If you are outdoors during a tremor, the best strategy is to stand under a tree. 
Answer. False. 
If you are outdoors during a tremor, the best strategy is to stand away from a tree. 
4. It is essential to plan in advance to prevent floods and contain the losses resulting 
from them. 
Answer.True. 
5. It is not possible to prepare in advance to mitigate the impact of a drought. 
Answer. False. 
It is possible to prepare in advance to mitigate the impact of a drought. 
D. Answer the following questions in brief 
Question 1. 
What is disaster management ? 
Answer: 
Disaster management is the overall preparedness to handle the possibility of a disaster 
and efficient management of affected regions as well as people if such an incident were 
to occur. It involves plans and steps taken before, during and after a disaster to reduce 
the extent of suffering and damage. 
Question 2. 
Why is disaster management important ? 
Answer: 
A disaster – (natural or man-made) can strike anytime without warning. The disaster 
management is important because the geographical location and landscape of India 
exposes it to earthquakes and many kinds of weather- related disasters. In a developing 
country like India, usually the poor suffer the most. Therefore, it is extremely important 
for the government, the people and social organizations to be prepared with proper 
plans and arrangements to face any kind of disaster. Proper and prior planning can help 
in limiting and minimizing damages and losses resulting from any disaster – natural or 
man-made. 
Question 3. 
What safety measures can be followed against floods ? 
Answer: 
Floods can be prevented in vulnerable areas by properly maintaining dykes and 
embankments along rivers. The government and relief organisation must also have 
provisions of flood shelters in vulnerable places (along flood prone regions) so that 
people and livestock can be quickly evacuated and provided relief too. The government 
must also plan stationing rescue equipment near flood-prone areas. It should be 
possible to immediately deploy rescue boats and have communication lines open and 
functioning in order to rescue people caught functioning in order to rescue people 
caught in rising levels of water. There should be enough dry food, clean water and 
medicines made available to these people, affected by floods, so that spread of 
diseases can be stopped. 
Question 4. 
Mention any three safety measures against a fire. 
Answer: 
Few safety measures against fire are : 
1. Everyone should be acquainted with the common fire safety norms. 
2. We should take some time out to find out about the different 
kinds of fire extinguishers and the correct one to use in case of a fire. Fires are of 
different origins and we should make an effort to know more about this and the 
right extinguisher to use. 
3. While entering a public place such a cinema hall or auditorium, we should make 
note of the fire exits and all other possible exits. 
4. If a fire were to break out, we should avoid using the lift as a means of escape. 
5. We should undergo training in first-aid in case of a fire and ways to put out flames. 
6. If we light a matchstick to light a candle or the stove, we should also make sure 
that the matchstick is properly disposed of. 
7. We should always turn off the knob of our LPG cylinders when it is not in use. We 
should also always keep a kitchen window open so that any inflammable gas can 
dissipate instead of accumulating in the kitchen. 
Question 5. 
Write any two safety measures taken against biological disaster. 
Answer: 
In case of a biological disaster, we can take the following safety measures : 
1. People should inform the police and get away from any suspicious material that 
they see around them. 
2. The government should educate people through the mass media in case of a 
threat of a biological attack. 
3. People should not inhale such organisms and protect themselves by covering their 
faces. 
Question 6. 
What safety measures should be taken in case of a travel- related disaster? 
Answer: 
In case of a travel-related disaster, we can take the following precautions: 
1. Victims should be safely evacuated from the site of the accident and first aid 
should be administered at the earliest. 
2. We should always carry our identity cards with the blood group mentioned on it. 
Emergency contact number should be written on the identity card to get in touch 
with family or friends. 
Question 7. 
What role can social organizations play in disaster management ? 
Answer: 
There are various groups such as the Red Cross, UN agencies and NGOs (non-
governmental organization) which provide aid at the time of disasters. These 
organizations focus on meeting people’s emergency needs. They provide shelter, food 
and medicines to the victims. They work to decrease the sense of isolation and 
abandonment that disaster victims often feel. 
E. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs 
Question 1. 
What safety measures should be taken during an earthquake ? 
Answer: 
Safety measures during earthquakes : 
If you are indoors during an earthquake, three steps – drop, cover and hold-could save 
you from receiving severe injuries. If your building is shaking immediately drop to the 
ground and take cover under a bed or table. If you are outdoors during a tremor, the 
best strategy would be to move towards an open area – away from trees, buildings, 
electricity poles, transmission towers, etc. stay away from bridges and flyovers during 
an earthquake and even for a while after it has subsided. 
Question 2. 
Write a note on the safety measures to lessen the impact of droughts. 
Answer: 
Safety measures to lessen the impact of droughts are : 
1. Using water sources such as rivers, lakes and ponds carefully and maintaining 
them is important to tide people over during times of no rain. 
2. Rainwater harvesting goes a long way in replenishing the depleting supply of 
groundwater. The government and social welfare organizations should teach and 
enable people to harvest rainwater to restore their water reserves. 
3. Building of check dams also helps to collect run-off water in hilly areas. 
4. We should stop cutting down trees along river banks and other water bodies. 
Instead, we should plant more trees. Trees help in drawing moisture and rainfall to 
a region. 
5. We should stop wasteful use of water in our daily life. 
Page 5


Disaster Management 
Exercises 
A. Fill in the blanks 
1. Proper planning can help in limiting and minimizing damages and losses caused 
by natural or man-made disasters. 
2. Floods can be prevented in vulnerable areas by properly maintaining dykes along 
rivers. 
3. Rainwater harvesting goes a long way in replenishing the depleting supply 
of ground water. 
4. We should always turn off the knob of our LPG cylinders when it is not in use. 
5. Every house should have an emergency first-aid kit. 
B. Match the following 
 
 
C. Write true or false 
1. The geographical location and landscape of India exposes it to earthquakes. 
Answer. True. 
2. When a natural disaster occurs in a developing country like India, it is the rich of the 
country that suffer the most. 
Answer.False. 
When a natural disaster occurs in a developing country like India, it is the poor of the 
country that suffer the most. 
3. If you are outdoors during a tremor, the best strategy is to stand under a tree. 
Answer. False. 
If you are outdoors during a tremor, the best strategy is to stand away from a tree. 
4. It is essential to plan in advance to prevent floods and contain the losses resulting 
from them. 
Answer.True. 
5. It is not possible to prepare in advance to mitigate the impact of a drought. 
Answer. False. 
It is possible to prepare in advance to mitigate the impact of a drought. 
D. Answer the following questions in brief 
Question 1. 
What is disaster management ? 
Answer: 
Disaster management is the overall preparedness to handle the possibility of a disaster 
and efficient management of affected regions as well as people if such an incident were 
to occur. It involves plans and steps taken before, during and after a disaster to reduce 
the extent of suffering and damage. 
Question 2. 
Why is disaster management important ? 
Answer: 
A disaster – (natural or man-made) can strike anytime without warning. The disaster 
management is important because the geographical location and landscape of India 
exposes it to earthquakes and many kinds of weather- related disasters. In a developing 
country like India, usually the poor suffer the most. Therefore, it is extremely important 
for the government, the people and social organizations to be prepared with proper 
plans and arrangements to face any kind of disaster. Proper and prior planning can help 
in limiting and minimizing damages and losses resulting from any disaster – natural or 
man-made. 
Question 3. 
What safety measures can be followed against floods ? 
Answer: 
Floods can be prevented in vulnerable areas by properly maintaining dykes and 
embankments along rivers. The government and relief organisation must also have 
provisions of flood shelters in vulnerable places (along flood prone regions) so that 
people and livestock can be quickly evacuated and provided relief too. The government 
must also plan stationing rescue equipment near flood-prone areas. It should be 
possible to immediately deploy rescue boats and have communication lines open and 
functioning in order to rescue people caught functioning in order to rescue people 
caught in rising levels of water. There should be enough dry food, clean water and 
medicines made available to these people, affected by floods, so that spread of 
diseases can be stopped. 
Question 4. 
Mention any three safety measures against a fire. 
Answer: 
Few safety measures against fire are : 
1. Everyone should be acquainted with the common fire safety norms. 
2. We should take some time out to find out about the different 
kinds of fire extinguishers and the correct one to use in case of a fire. Fires are of 
different origins and we should make an effort to know more about this and the 
right extinguisher to use. 
3. While entering a public place such a cinema hall or auditorium, we should make 
note of the fire exits and all other possible exits. 
4. If a fire were to break out, we should avoid using the lift as a means of escape. 
5. We should undergo training in first-aid in case of a fire and ways to put out flames. 
6. If we light a matchstick to light a candle or the stove, we should also make sure 
that the matchstick is properly disposed of. 
7. We should always turn off the knob of our LPG cylinders when it is not in use. We 
should also always keep a kitchen window open so that any inflammable gas can 
dissipate instead of accumulating in the kitchen. 
Question 5. 
Write any two safety measures taken against biological disaster. 
Answer: 
In case of a biological disaster, we can take the following safety measures : 
1. People should inform the police and get away from any suspicious material that 
they see around them. 
2. The government should educate people through the mass media in case of a 
threat of a biological attack. 
3. People should not inhale such organisms and protect themselves by covering their 
faces. 
Question 6. 
What safety measures should be taken in case of a travel- related disaster? 
Answer: 
In case of a travel-related disaster, we can take the following precautions: 
1. Victims should be safely evacuated from the site of the accident and first aid 
should be administered at the earliest. 
2. We should always carry our identity cards with the blood group mentioned on it. 
Emergency contact number should be written on the identity card to get in touch 
with family or friends. 
Question 7. 
What role can social organizations play in disaster management ? 
Answer: 
There are various groups such as the Red Cross, UN agencies and NGOs (non-
governmental organization) which provide aid at the time of disasters. These 
organizations focus on meeting people’s emergency needs. They provide shelter, food 
and medicines to the victims. They work to decrease the sense of isolation and 
abandonment that disaster victims often feel. 
E. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs 
Question 1. 
What safety measures should be taken during an earthquake ? 
Answer: 
Safety measures during earthquakes : 
If you are indoors during an earthquake, three steps – drop, cover and hold-could save 
you from receiving severe injuries. If your building is shaking immediately drop to the 
ground and take cover under a bed or table. If you are outdoors during a tremor, the 
best strategy would be to move towards an open area – away from trees, buildings, 
electricity poles, transmission towers, etc. stay away from bridges and flyovers during 
an earthquake and even for a while after it has subsided. 
Question 2. 
Write a note on the safety measures to lessen the impact of droughts. 
Answer: 
Safety measures to lessen the impact of droughts are : 
1. Using water sources such as rivers, lakes and ponds carefully and maintaining 
them is important to tide people over during times of no rain. 
2. Rainwater harvesting goes a long way in replenishing the depleting supply of 
groundwater. The government and social welfare organizations should teach and 
enable people to harvest rainwater to restore their water reserves. 
3. Building of check dams also helps to collect run-off water in hilly areas. 
4. We should stop cutting down trees along river banks and other water bodies. 
Instead, we should plant more trees. Trees help in drawing moisture and rainfall to 
a region. 
5. We should stop wasteful use of water in our daily life. 
Question 3. 
Write any five safety measures against fires. 
Answer: 
Few safety measures against fire are : 
1. Everyone should be acquainted with the common fire safety norms. 
2. We should take some time out to find out about the different kinds of fire 
extinguishers and the correct one to use in case of a fire. Fires are of different 
origins and we should make an effort to know more about this and the right 
extinguisher to use. 
3. While entering a public place such a cinema hall or auditorium, we should make 
note of the fire exits and all other possible exits. 
4. If a fire were to break out, we should avoid using the lift as a means of escape. 
5. We should undergo training in first-aid in case of a fire and ways to put out flames. 
6. If we light a matchstick to light a candle or the stove, we should also make sure 
that the matchstick is properly disposed of. 
7. We should always turn off the knob of our LPG cylinders when it is not in use. We 
should also always keep a kitchen window open so that any inflammable gas can 
dissipate instead of accumulating in the kitchen. 
Question 4. 
Write some ways in which the government can tackle man¬made disasters. 
Answer: 
The government can tackle the man-made disasters in many ways : 
1. Government of developing countries should allot a substantial sum of money from 
their budget to set up special disaster management departments. 
2. Efficient forecasting and warning systems should be installed. 
3. Modern tools of information technology must be used for managing such 
situations. 
4. The government should set up organizations to coordinate relief work and give top 
priority to rehabilitation and reconstruction plans. 
5. The communication network should be strengthened to ensure that entire regions 
do not get cut off in the eventuality of disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis. 
6. Inspection team should be send regularly to check safety regulations at public 
places like hotels, malls, theatres, etc. 
Question 5. 
What role can people play in disaster management ? 
Answer: 
When a disaster occurs, the external aid comes late, so the people should be skilled in 
first-aid techniques and in ways to help other critically injured people. Every house 
should have a first -aid kit. There should be awareness about the disasters and 
preventions for them. For example, the hotel management could help save a lot of lives 
in case of a fire if it follows the government regulations on emergency exits, escape 
routes and fire extinguishers. The residents of a war zone may construct undergrounds